Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." (John 8:12 NAS)

In February 2008, a wide-ranging blackout swept across Florida which affected nearly one million households and businesses, knocking out traffic signals and trapping scores of people in elevators, The New York Times reported. Within a two-hour period, about 40 car accidents were reported to Miami-Dade fire officials; more than triple the daily average. At least eight power plants and 15 major transmission lines were knocked out, and among the affected power plants was the Turkey Point nuclear complex in southern Miami-Dade County, where two reactors shut themselves down within seconds of the initial failure when automatic devices sensed a voltage drop on the incoming power lines, said a spokeswoman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Washington. According to Florida Power & Light, 700,000 to 800,000 of its 4.4 million customers were without electricity at the peak of the blackout.

Imagine how much havoc darkness can create for us all when we are without light. Jesus understands what it means for the world to live in darkness when He said to His disciples "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him" (John 11:9-10 NAS). "For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light" (John 12:35-36a NAS).

As believers in the Lord, we are all called to become sons of Light. Jesus is the Light of the world, and as His followers, we should not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life (John 8:12). We are to work the works of Him who sent us, as long as it is day, for night is coming when none of us will be able to do the work of God (John 9:4). What our Lord tells us in darkness or in privacy, therefore, we must speak in the light (Matthew 10:27). If we fail to do our part to speak in the light, then all who are still living in darkness will surely perish without any hope of survival when they are thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13-14).

Our first step in becoming sons of Light therefore is to stay clear from darkness and walk in His light. This means we must first begin by coming clean before God in all areas of our unholy lives, in confession and repentance, to take steps to build a closer relationship with God, to pray, study, and walk in His Word. Once we have laid hold of our lives to live victorious in Christ, we must then decisively take steps to stamp out the darkness in our lives, the bad habits and unhealthy practices, before we can illuminate the world.

Dear Lord, open our eyes and minds to see and remember the havoc darkness can create in our lives and in the lives of those who are yet unsaved. Help us Lord to depart completely from darkness to walk in the Light. Stir in our hearts Lord to understand the consequences the lost will have to bear if we fail to reach out to them. Shine through us O God that the world may receive the Light of the world and be set free from darkness.

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I like this "documentary " type peice. I would have liked to know more about WHAT the effects were beofre you went onto the scriptural application. There were a few too many facts in the first paragraph that could have been ommitted if you were nearing the max word count. Intersting and informative though!

It's interesting to read your entry tonight because I was just singing "This Little Light of Mine" to my kids tonight and I explained to my daughter what the "light" was. I liked the illustration of the black-out too. It would be interesting to see more details of personal experiences from the black-out. You did a good job of covering the relevant Scriptures, though! Your story made me think that I need to share more of His light so thanks for sharing!

I've read some of your other devotionals, but this is my favorite so far. I think I would have liked more details of the blackout also. Maybe you should use more news events in your pieces for this seems to be a hit. Heaven knows there are enough lessons in the news.
As usual, your ending prayer is perfect for my personal prayers also. Thank you.

A few thoughts: I felt that the transition between the news summary and the beginning of the devotional section was a little jarring. Could you insert a sentence that brings them together?

Second, I thought that you had a lot of scripture back to back to back, then your own thoughts in one paragraph (starting "Our first step...). Could the scripture and your own thoughts (or expounding on the scriptures) have been more interspersed?

Or, even possibly, compare things from the news paragraph (car accidents in unregulated intersections, for example) with things from the scriptures you used...

Overall, I felt your writing was better than what I'd expect for a beginner. Consider moving up a level, and soon.

Let me start by saying that IF we could just really grasp the message in this devotional, our lives would be glorious.
There are two things going on here; facts presented and a message presented.
When writing the facts, there would be more "punch" if the sentences were shorter. Perhaps, a little less detail.
But, when you write the message...YOUR PASSION comes through. That's where you heart is and your writing reflects that.
You have written the facts with your head and the message with your heart.
Guess which part sticks with me?
Use the facts as a tool only to get the attention of the reader so they will get to the GOOD part.
I love your writing...and your heart for God.
Mona